My toms are long overdue for new heads, both batter and resonant. I like a low sound, but not so low that the toms sound dead. I've tried Evans hydraulics, Aquarian performance 2 and both are way too dead sounding for my liking. The heads I currently use are the stock ones that came with my drumset when I purchased it, 6 years ago! During that time I tried out the heads I mentioned and was most pleased with the sound of the stock heads.

I'm thinking of trying out the popular g2 over g1 combo, debating whether to go coated or clear for the batters. I've never played coated heads, but the less pointy sound might be what I need to make me happy.

My toms are 10,12, and 14, and I play mostly metal.

Any suggestions on what to get?

 

My stock heads are Remo and I like them alot although Ive switched em out years ago. I now have a mixture of Remos like ebony skins mixed with pinstripe. I preferably like the ebony skin for the floor tom because the sound is richer and its the way I like it. For the upper toms I prefer clearer, thinner heads with resonance rings on em to muffle some of the sound. If you want your stock heads, theyre most likely going to be very generic, very thin heads (to save costs for the maker)

BTW Ive been playing for 6 1/2 years now.

 

How is Remo's quality control? I know they had some problems a couple years ago and many people were getting defective heads. Has it changed now, or do you still need to choose carefully when picking them out?

 

Sorry but I can't help you out with what to get but I'm planning on picking up my first set this month. Can you suggest a decent set of drums for about $500? Also, would you happen to know of any sites where I can read reviews about drums?

I had my eye on these:

http://www.music123.com/Ludwig-Accent-Comb...et-i60274.music

These cost only $320 and I think I can find some decent cymbals for about $200.

What do you guys think?

 

Here's a drum forum.... http://www.daddariostrings.com/Discuss/dis....aspx?GroupID=2 I haven't been there in over a year, but there were a couple of helpful people on there. The forum is owned by D'Addario, so expect to get great reviews for Evans drum heads Which from my experience are pretty good quality wise.

Are you planning on spending 500 for both cymbals and the kit?

I bought a really cheap drumset when I first started playing, and I don't think I would go that route again. As soon as I got more interested in it, I wanted something better. You can get a few good sets for around 500 bucks, and a decent cymbal pack for around 200. I'm going with prices from when I bought my drumset, so these might have changed.

Some sets to check out:

Tama Swingstar*
Tama Rockstar
Pearl Forum*
Pearl Export
Pacific *
*means closest to your budget

Not familiar with those ludwig drums, but have played other Ludwig's a while back and they seemed to be a good all around kit as a first set. Regardless, you can make any drum sound good with the right tuning/heads. Of course the wood used and edges on the drums makes a difference in sound but for your budget they will mostly all be about the same. Best thing to do is to go to a music store and play on a couple.

I have a Tama Rockstar Custom, pretty much a tama rockstar only instead of a wrapped finish it is lacquered. I would recommed this kit to anyone who asked me for a suggestion. I think around 550-650 is the normal price range for the rockstar/rockstar custom.

 

Another good site for drum stuff is www.midwestpercussion.com

I've bought a couple of stands and a cymbal from them and haven't had any problems.

 

Ooof. Remo...

The Evans G2/G1 combo is great. I'm using coated batters and clear resonants. Love it. I've been meaning to sample some more Aquarians... just to silence the advocates... but I can't until my Evans' start to go.

I think you'll find the tone is a bit warmer and mellower with the G2/G1... and, surprising, they lend themselves well to most styles of play. Play with the tuning and I'll bvet you find that sound you're looking for.


Good luck, and let us all know...

 

I think I'm going to go with the g2 coated/g1 combo.

I like to play softer stuff also, so the coated heads would probably give me more range to what styles they would sound good for. Finally get to use the brushes I got for Christmas a couple years ago... if I can find em.

If I have time tomorrow I'll stop by the store, but most likely I'll pick them up on thursday.

Aquarians are great heads. The ones I bought had no defects and I didn't have to look through a couple to choose them. Back in High School we bought Aquarian Studio X heads for the toms, and they were pretty good also. If you're not into heavy playing, I'd suggest the studio x heads when you decide to try out Aquarian.

I've been holding off on buying heads, but the ones I have now are so old that they don't hold their tuning for a whole jam session ( a couple hours) and it's near impossible to tune them to a good pitch since they're so stretched out.

 

Like lude said that Ludwig is not a bad starter set. I personally started with a Yamaha Stage Custom Set and dont plan on upgrading anytime soon as the quality of the wood really brings great sound and prolly why the Remos actually sound nice on mine. However, I dont see the problem with really needing to buy that expensive heads cause you can tune any head to your liking anyway and heads usually have to be replaced every year-two years depending on your playing style.

I think my next upgrade would be a piccolo snare as a secondary snare (for fills and stuff). Oh yeah, if you guys are into really really nice sounding crashes you should check out the Sabian Xs 20 Medium thin crash. Wow, it sounds incredible and is around $70-$80 which beats the hell outta spending $50 more for a Zildjian that sounds pretty much the same. The bell on it is also great.

Edit: Nvm, just looked up some G1/G2's and their pretty cheap, maybe I will switch out!

 

Bought the heads today. Coated G2 over clear G1. I was able to get all of them except the resonant for my 14 inch tom. They showed 14 heads in stock but couldn't find any of them. But they're going to mail it to my house from another location. The drums sound awesome! I got a nice low, resonant sound, which is exactly what I was looking for.

I'm going to play around with the tuning a bit more once I get the resonant for the 14 inch, but as they are right now I'm VERY pleased.

Thanks for the help